Mike Roach, president of Fort Worth-based foodservice distributor Ben E. Keith Foods since 1997, will retire effective June 30.
Roach will be succeeded by Mike Sweet, current executive vice president of the company.
Under Roach’s leadership, the company grew dramatically in sales, profits, geographic coverage, breadth of inventory and number of facilities in operation.
Established in 1906, Ben E. Keith is one of Fort Worth’s oldest businesses and is the nation’s eighth largest broad-line foodservice distributors with eight distribution centers servicing operators in 11 states.
Active within the foodservice industry, Roach has served on the board and a term as chairman of IFDA (International Foodservice Distributors Association), UniPro Foodservice, and Markon Inc., and was a board member of DMA (Distribution Market Advantage), IFMA (International Foodservice Manufacturers Association), and GSI Foodservice Executive Leadership Committee. Industry honors include the IFDA Cornerstone Award in 2010, President’s Award and Distinguished Industry Achievement Award. Roach will continue to serve the food division in an advisory capacity.
Sweet joined Ben E. Keith Foods in 1999 and has had leadership positions in sales, purchasing, marketing and operations. He has most recently been responsible for numerous company initiatives as well as the strategic planning for the food division.
Sweet is a current member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, on the board of directors of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and a member of the Touchdown Club benefiting The Rise School of Dallas.
Ben E. Keith’s board of directors also promoted Brian Lynch to the position of vice president of sales development and training. Lynch joined the company in 2002 and most recently served as director of sales development and training.
Betty Dillard
bdillard@bizpress.net
